2022 DEI Annual Report - VMware News and Stories

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2022 DEI Annual Report

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Over the past year, VMware’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) journey has been marked by renewed purpose and real progress. We have implemented strategies that are embedded into the rhythm of the business in order to accelerate achieving our DEI goals more consistently.

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Our just-releasesd <a href="https://www.vmware.com/content/dam/digitalmarketing/vmware/en/pdf/company/vmw-annual-report-2022.pdf">2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Report</a> details these strategies and demonstrates that at VMware, we affect progress in the world by creating it together.

I encourage you to read the full report to understand the important work that is underway at VMware to ensure DEI doesn’t remain limited to well-meaning intentions but show up as actions that each of us take to drive meaningful outcomes for communities both within and beyond VMware.

As a preview, I’m sharing some of the highlights from the report:

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The acronym, GO stands for Guided by Outcomes, and GO Hire is focused on bringing greater equity to the hiring process. Rather than hiring from a limited list of qualifications, VMware’s GO Hiring model broadens the search to include people from all walks of life whose unique talents, experiences, and skills are valued. Our interview model assesses past performance in an approach that includes <a href="https://news.vmware.com/company/vmwares-culture-built-epic2-values">EPIC2</a> strengths, expertise and motivation.

With this inclusive hiring method, VMware has not only gained 80% more applicants, but we have also doubled the number of applicants that are women and people who identify as part of an underrepresented community.

Going forward, we are expanding the GO Hiring model for all new job requisitions globally. Additionally, we’re creating a consistent job description format for a more inclusive applicant pool as well as a consistent interview format to eliminate bias and create a more positive candidate experience.  These changes are important, strategic steps to enhance our culture and strengthen our future.

Our Commitment to a Global, Distributed, and Diverse Workforce

The global pandemic dramatically changed the way we all work. Keeping the health and safety of VMware people in focus, nearly all of our employees worked remotely for the most part of 2020 and 2021.  

We recognized the virtue of this necessity: a global increase in the representation of women and people who identify as an underrepresented minority in VMware’s workforce. VMware’s population of remote employees doubled since early 2020 and now make up 1/3 of our workforce. 33% of all remote hires in Fiscal Year 2022 were women and 16% from underrepresented minorities (URM). Remote and distributed work made it easier to build gender, educational, and generational diversity.

By sourcing talent from around the world, we support our goal of building a diverse talent pool with different perspectives and experiences to shape our future. And by giving people the flexibility to choose where they work means we don’t have to grow our real-estate portfolio to match our increasing employee population. At VMware, our mindful, new ways of working are designed to have a positive impact on both our people and our planet.

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A great working relationship is like a conversation where ideas and experiences are honestly exchanged. At VMware, we’re now capturing these ideas and thoughts from employees in two-way dialogues through reverse mentorship.  These valuable listening sessions for leaders occur in a 6-month program designed to develop DEI-minded leaders, create an understanding of differences and engage, retain, and grow diverse talent.

Our program is proving to be a win-win scenario.  Mentors have gained valuable access to, and insight into leadership while our mentee-leaders increased their awareness and empathy of the challenges faced by a diverse group of employees.

As our CEO, Raghu Raghuram, eloquently states in the report, “Each person is on a journey and their journeys are our story.” <a></a><a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/diversity.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Please visit our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage to learn more</a>. This year, we look forward to a new chapter in our VMware story that all 38,000+ employees will create together yet also one to which each of us will uniquely contribute.

Over the past year, VMware’s DEI journey has been marked by renewed purpose and real progress. Read our DEI Report about the work underway.

Today, we are proud to share @VMware’s 2022 DEI Report, highlighting our commitments in action over the past year to equitably engage and grow our workforce to be even more representative of our customers, partners, and the communities where our people live and work. Dive into the full report.

VMware 2022 DEI Report

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Creating Meaningful Change Together - VMware News and Stories

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Creating Meaningful Change Together

Rich Lang

Just released! @VMware’s 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report details the critical work underway at our company to drive meaningful outcomes for communities both within and beyond VMware. Our #VMware2030 and #DEI journey is well-underway!

Every day, hundreds of women around the world lead VMware’s engagement with tens of thousands of partners. We are therefore pleased to announce that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has included 49 VMware leaders to the <a href="https://www.crn.com/rankings-and-lists/wotc2022.htm?st1=2&st2=VMware#searchresults" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 Women of the Channel list</a>. In addition, VMware leaders Sandy Hogan, Jeanne Newberry, and Tracy-Ann Palmer appear on the prominent Power 100 list, which honors some of the most powerful women of the channel, chosen by the CRN editorial team based on their contributions, expertise, and channel advocacy.

VMware is redefining the workplace of the future through initiatives that include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As part of the company’s 2030 Agenda, VMware is committed to hiring 50 / 50 women and gender non-binary / men, and 50-percent of our managers identify as a woman, gender non-binary, and/or from an underrepresented community by 2030.

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The Women of the Channel list honors the accomplishments of women leaders in the IT channel. Those named on this annual list come from all corners of the IT channel — including vendors, distributors, and solution providers — whose vision, expertise and contributions make an impact on the industry every day.

“We are proud to once again recognize the remarkable leaders on this year’s Women of the Channel list. Their influence, confidence, and diligence continue to accelerate channel success significantly,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “Their accomplishments will inspire others, and we look forward to witnessing their future contributions to the channel.”

The VMware leaders recognized on the 2022 Women of the Channel list are:

VMware is building a more sustainable, equitable and secure future by integrating ESG goals across the company and aligning them with its core business strategy. These goals are reflected in the company’s 2030 Agenda, a decade-long ESG commitment and call to action to build a world in which its technology will make a positive impact on all its stakeholders.

Learn more about <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/esg.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESG</a> and <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/diversity.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DEI</a> at VMware.

This article may contain hyperlinks to non-VMware websites that are created and maintained by third parties who are solely responsible for the content on such websites.

VMware has been recognized by Forbes in its list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2022, ranking number 2 on the overall list.

We are pleased to announce that CRN has included 49 VMware leaders to the 2022 Women of the Channel list. Additionally, VMware's Sandy Hogan, Jeanne Newberry, and Tracy-Ann Palmer are part of the Power 100 list honoring some of the most powerful women of the channel, chosen by the CRN editorial team based on their contributions, expertise, and channel advocacy.

Celebrating 49 VMware @CRN Women of the Channel for 2022

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VMware on Best Employers for Diversity List - VMware News and Stories

VMware Celebrates 49 Employees Recognized on CRN’s Women of the Channel for 2022

We are pleased to announce that @CRN has included 49 VMware leaders on the 2022 Women of the Channel list.

VMware has been recognized by Forbes in its list of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-diversity/?sh=2e7ee9c56468">America’s Best Employers for Diversity</a> in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year, ranking number 2 on the overall list and was also the top ranked technology company. VMware ranked number 11 on Forbes’ list in <a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-diversity/?sh=5cd594386468">2021</a>.

“We’re proud to be recognized for our sustained commitment to an inclusive culture where all VMware people can belong and thrive,” said Rich Lang, senior vice president, Human Resources, and acting global head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at VMware. “Our people are the core of who we are as a company, and our EPIC2 culture is vital to our long-term success. We are keeping ourselves honest and accountable by continuing to actively seek out, listen to and incorporate the viewpoints of women employees and employees from underrepresented groups, and also integrating inclusive and equitable practices into all aspects of the VMware career journey.”

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to survey 60,000 people working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees to determine the companies they identified as most dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. More than 10,000 companies were reviewed, and the final list ranks the 500 employers that not only received the most recommendations, but also boast the most diverse boards and executive ranks and the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives.

VMware’s top ranking on this list was a result of survey participants rating their own organizations on criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation equality, as well as that of general diversity. Respondents belonging to underrepresented groups were also asked to nominate organizations other than their own to compile this list.

As part of this agenda, VMware is redefining the workplace of the future through initiatives that include its DEI efforts. As part of its DEI representation goals by 2030, VMware has committed to hiring 50/50 women and gender non-binary/men by 2030; and that 50-percent of its managers identify as a woman, gender non-binary, and/or from an underrepresented community.

Learn more about <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/esg.html">ESG</a> and <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/diversity.html">DEI</a> at VMware.

We're honored to be #2 on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list for our sustained commitment to an inclusive culture.

VMware Ranked Number 2 on Forbes’ List of Best Employers for Diversity 2022

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We're honored to be named #2 on @Forbes’ 2022 Best Employers for Diversity list. We're proud to be recognized for our sustained commitment to an inclusive culture where all @VMware people can belong and thrive. #VMware2030

Like a lot of people who work in the corporate responsibility space, I have complicated feelings about today.

Earth Day has helped raise awareness about the health of our planet and our impact on it for decades, earning its spot as a noteworthy day on just about every business’s calendar. In the best-case scenario, it can serve as the cornerstone of a much broader Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) agenda—an opportunity to focus efforts and make progress on ambitious goals. But in the worst-case scenario, it can easily become a vehicle for greenwashing—a marketing push fueled by vague commitments that won’t be mentioned again until next year’s Earth Day. It can be difficult to find the signal in the noise.

But finding the signal is more important now than it has ever been before. The <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/">2022 IPCC Report</a> makes it clear: we are losing the war against climate change. If we’re going to turn the tide, we desperately need to close the gap between good intentions and measurable actions. Demanding a more meaningful Earth Day is a great place to start.

To find solutions to this problem, it’s first important to examine the source of this gap between intention and action. If just about everyone agrees on the need for a healthy and sustainable planet, why are we still struggling to make substantive progress? I see a few things at play here.

First, intention doesn’t cost anything—action does. Improving sustainability requires both financial and human resources that have to come from somewhere. This can mean making new investments or diverting resources away from another priority. This can be perceived as a tradeoff—one that’s especially difficult to make when it’s in service of long-term benefits that are far less tangible than the short-term pain being felt today.

Second, taking action involves some measure of risk—something most organizations try to avoid at all costs. Setting ambitious sustainability goals can open a company up to criticism if they don’t meet them. This can incentivize either staying quiet or setting the bar low enough that there’s no doubt about clearing it.

When you consider both factors, it’s easy to understand why some individual companies make the choice to avoid sticking their neck out. But when every company makes that same choice, it adds up to devastating consequences for the planet. And those consequences pose the greatest possible risk—to the businesses themselves, as well as their employees, customers, stakeholders and communities.

So how do we reverse this equation? How do we make pursuing the collective good outweigh the perceived tradeoffs that hold companies back from delivering more sustainable outcomes? The answer comes down to collective accountability.

Collective accountability happens when corporate, regulatory, and consumer interests are aligned around a shared goal. That may sound like an impossibly high bar to clear, but there are examples of it working. Commercial aviation is the safest form of transportation in the world because of <a href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/out-front-airline-safety-two-decades-continuous-evolution">voluntary reporting programs</a> that allow airlines to share information about safety issues without fear of negative repercussions. The system succeeds because airlines, regulators and the flying public are all united around protecting the safety of our skies.

A similar system is needed now too—one that brings together regulators, businesses and individuals in service to our planet. Because as a great Canadian philosopher, Marshall McLuhan, once said, “There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew.”

The good news is we’re already seeing movement in this direction. The SEC has <a href="https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-46">proposed rules</a> that would require publicly traded companies to disclose the risks of climate change to their business and their own contributions to climate change. This would be a gamechanger—one that puts the world’s largest companies on a level playing field and ensures everyone has skin in the game. Imagine a future Earth Day that is a truly meaningful day for climate accountability—because it’s the filing deadline for climate disclosures. That possibility is within reach.

We’re also seeing more consumers vote with their wallets for green solutions. It’s estimated that there are more than $330 billion<a href="#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1">[1]</a> currently in ESG funds. And these investors are expecting more meaningful actions from ESG initiatives—a fact made clear from the pressure<a href="#_ftn2" id="_ftnref2">[2]</a> on ESG funds to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and focus on the geopolitical risks of our dependence on fossil fuels. This level of interest and scrutiny is only going to increase in the years ahead.

And what about corporations? While greenwashing is still far too prevalent, many companies are being recognized<a href="#_ftn3" id="_ftnref3">[3]</a> for their substantive sustainability efforts. At VMware, for example, we’re embedding ESG principles into the core of our business through our <a href="https://www.vmware.com/content/microsites/en/global-impact.html">2030 Agenda</a>. This includes achieving <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/net-zero.html">net zero carbon emissions</a> for our operations and supply chain by 2030. And speaking of recognition, we’re honored to have recently been <a href="https://news.vmware.com/esg/vmware-named-one-of-americas-most-just-companies">recognized by JUST Capital</a> as the leading company in our industry—rated #1 for the environment amongst our peers.

I’m especially excited about how we’re using Earth Day to inspire engagement among our team this year. We’re asking our employees to join us in taking climate action in ways that are uniquely meaningful to each one of them. For example, we’re challenging employees to download and use the United Nations’ <a href="https://aworld.org/">AWorld</a> app, with special rewards for the most highly engaged participants. We’ve also made Earth Day one of our EPIC2 days off and have encouraged employees to spend the time in service to their communities or reflecting on how they can make more sustainable climate choices.

We’re doing this because that’s what collective accountability requires. Each of us working together toward the same goal. Each of us owning our piece of the problem and taking action. I’ve always believed in setting higher standards for yourself than the ones the world sets for you. If we all embraced and embodied that mindset, there’s no question that it would create a virtuous cycle that turns the tide in our battle against climate change. So, I hope you’ll join me today in creating a more meaningful Earth Day—one that’s not defined by our intentions, but by our actions.

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<a href="#_ftnref1" id="_ftn1">[1]</a> Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, “ESG: 2021 Trends and Expectations for 2022,” February 2022.

<a href="#_ftnref2" id="_ftn2">[2]</a> Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, “War in Ukraine: Is ESG at a Crossroads?”, March 2022.

<a href="#_ftnref3" id="_ftn3">[3]</a> JUST Capital, “America’s 32 Industry Leaders for Environmental Performance in 2022,” April 2022.

We can create a more meaningful Earth Day by aligning corporate, regulatory and consumer interests around a shared goal.

Happy Earth Day! We're working towards a more meaningful Earth Day—one defined by our actions, not by our intentions.

A More Meaningful Earth Day Demands Collective Accountability

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Creating A More Meaningful Earth Day- VMware News and Stories

Nicola Acutt

How can we create a more meaningful #EarthDay — one defined by our actions, not by our intentions? It all starts with collective accountability—when corporate, regulatory and consumer interests all align around a shared goal. #VMware2030 #ESG

Despite the upheaval caused by COVID-19, the last few years have also prompted many of us to reconsider our priorities and think about what we value most in life. I acknowledge that having the time and energy to do this hasn’t been an option available to everyone. But for those of us that have been able to work flexibly during periods of lockdown, having some extra time in our days has been a silver lining in what has been a difficult few years.

For me personally, I have found myself thinking more about what I hold dear.

Living sustainably and taking care of our planet is something I care very deeply about, and I’ve often thought about how each one of us can contribute to building a more sustainable future.

It’s something we’ve become increasingly conscious of in my own family. Last year we completed a home renovation project, and as part of that, we installed rooftop solar panels and battery storage to return any remaining energy back to the grid. At the same time, we substantially upgraded our insulation to make the house more energy-efficient. We also installed an electric vehicle charge point, in anticipation of a time in the not-too-distant future when we hope to swap out our current car for an electric or hybrid vehicle. And with the threat of drought being a constant long-term concern in Australia, we installed large water tanks to capture as much rainwater as possible. This water-saving strategy allows us to use rainwater for toilets, clothes washing and in the garden. In our garden, we’ve started growing vegetables, fruit and herbs that we use in our cooking here at home.

Like many others, we are looking for ways to make environmentally sound choices, and to be a part of a wider system that drives sustainability. But we don’t just want to make a difference at home.

Increasingly people want to bring their personal passion for sustainability to the workplace. It’s no secret that employees, and younger employees in particular, are increasingly seeking out employers that share their values.1 But it’s also true that not every organization lives up to the statements it makes about sustainability.2

Even so, the more we see individual employees wear sustainability on their sleeves, the more we’ll see them drive organizational change and work towards a net-zero future.

This Earth Day, VMware aims to drive home how all employees can make an impact in the fight against climate change. Sustainability is something that’s very important to us as a company. It is a value that we strive for throughout our operations, supply chain and technology innovations for our customers.

Having spent some time reflecting on how individuals can maximize their impact at work, I'd like to share five key ways that you can make your passion for sustainability part of the values you live out at work.

Many companies publicly espouse a commitment to sustainability, but does this mean they genuinely “walk the talk”? When exploring a move to a different company, consider whether a potential employer’s stance on sustainability issues aligns with your own personal values.

One of the things that makes me particularly proud to work at VMware is our company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. We are not shy about our efforts to become more environmentally efficient, and we have published an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, our <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/esg.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2030 Agenda</a> ⁠— a decade-long commitment to building a more sustainable, equitable and secure digital future.

Quite simply, in the same way that consumers can speak with their wallets, employees can act on their commitment to environmental causes by choosing to work for an employer that takes sustainability seriously. This might require conducting some background research and putting forward questions about sustainability in job interviews. These could include:

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If an employer doesn’t have sound responses to one or all of these questions, it might be time to think twice about whether it is the right company for you.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for opportunities to make a difference in the sustainability space, even in your everyday work. Is there a logistics process that could be made more efficient and need fewer vehicle trips involved in deliveries? Could buildings lighting and cooling be used more efficiently?

And don’t forget the IT technology your company runs on. According to the <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Energy Agency</a>, data centers account for around 1% of global electricity use, with data networks using about the same amount again. Energy use can be a significant financial cost in running technology infrastructures and in companies’ overall operating expenditures.

So, any change that can make your operations more efficient and sustainable are likely to save you money in the long term. It’s something VMware works on with clients in industries, including financial services, healthcare and mining.

If we all do our part to lead a more sustainable life, there is greater potential for society-wide shifts that can help to mitigate the pace and severity of climate change.

VMware’s 2022 Earth Day theme — “One VMware, One Planet, One Month, One Challenge” — is lived and breathed through individual actions, collectively throughout the organization. To provide ideas on how to reduce our carbon emissions, as well as measure our climate impact, we’re challenging employees to download and use the AWorld App, which was chosen by the U.N. to support the ActNow Campaign.

Leading a more sustainable life shouldn’t happen within a vacuum. AWorld empowers individuals to take steps towards living sustainably with the support of their team, and we’ll be offering special rewards for our most highly engaged participants. (Healthy competition can go a long way!)

Another way companies empower employees to make a positive environmental impact is with opportunities for Service Learning. 

This includes Service Learning with environmental nonprofits, whether that be in the area of bush regeneration, developing green urban spaces, planting trees, growing organic food and more.

Consider whether your company offers employees time off to serve with nonprofits, and take advantage of it to support an environmental cause. Some companies like VMware also may have employee matching gifts programs. This gives an added boost to an employee’s own donation by matching the amount they contribute to a charitable cause. The <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/foundation.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VMware Foundation’s Citizen Philanthropy approach</a> does this by providing a platform for VMware people to contribute time, talent and financial resources to their nonprofits of choice.

It’s our collective responsibility to build sustainable workplaces and environmentally conscious societies, but for real and meaningful change to take place, this needs to be powered by passionate individuals who lead the way forward.

These are the change-makers and forward-thinkers who take on the mantle of sustainability ambassadors in an organization. They might develop environmental sustainability initiatives in a local region or help employees to adopt sustainable mindsets to manage food waste in the office. They can influence purchasing decisions to reduce energy consumption and to prefer plastic-alternative products. At VMware, our <a href="https://blogs.vmware.com/careers/2022/04/celebrating-earth-month-with-vmware-citizen-philanthropists.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainability Ambassadors</a> use their passion to advocate for VMware’s ESG initiatives and influence their colleagues to take action with customers.

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Employees have the knowledge, skills and passion to create change for the better. There is power in numbers, and if we work together, we can create a more sustainable future — One VMware, One Planet, One Month, One Challenge at a time.

This article may contain hyperlinks to non-VMware websites that are created and maintained by third parties who are solely responsible for the content on such websites.

1Deloitte, “The Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey,” April 2022.

2Harvard Business Review, “Overselling Sustainability Reporting,” May-June 2021.

Read five key ways that you can bring sustainability to work, drive organizational change and work towards a net-zero future.

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How to Bring Sustainability to Work | VMware News & Stories

Craig Dobson

Rose Judge, an open source developer at VMware, talks about her journey and work in the open source community at GitHub. <a href="https://via.vmw.com/RoseJudgeGitHub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read the full story here</a>.

Rose Judge, an open source developer at VMware, talks about her journey and work in the open source community at GitHub.

Rose Judge, an open source developer at VMware, talks about her journey and work in the open source community at GitHub. Read the full story here.

Challenging the Expectations of Open Source | GitHub via VMware News & Stories

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GitHub | Challenging the Expectations of Open Source - VMware News and Stories

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aspeagle@vmware.com

VMware has been recognized by Newsweek and Statista in their first annual ranking of <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/americas-most-trusted-companies-2022/software-telecommunications">America’s Most Trusted Companies</a>. VMware was ranked fourth in the software and telecommunications category.

In its 2022 rankings, Newsweek and Statista recognized 400 publicly-traded U.S. corporations with $500 million or more in annual revenues in 22 industries after surveying 50,000 U.S. residents. The Most Trusted Companies list was chosen based on a holistic approach to evaluating trust. Newsweek and Statista considered three main public touchpoints of trust—customer trust, investor trust and employee trust.

Newsweek also recently recognized VMware on its list of <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/americas-most-responsible-companies-2022">America's Most Responsible Companies</a> for 2022 for the third consecutive year.

At VMware, we envision a future where customers are confident their data is secure and being used responsibly, employees can be sure their companies are transparent and ethical, and all stakeholders are effectively safeguarded from cyberattacks threatening our digital world. By viewing innovation through a lens of digital ethics and stewardship, and by focusing on security, privacy-by-design and transparency, VMware <a href="https://news.vmware.com/esg/intersection-of-trust-digital-ethics-esg">establishes and maintains trust</a> among our people, customers, partners, shareholders and communities.

VMware is building a more sustainable, equitable and secure future by integrating Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goals across the company and aligning them with its core business strategy. These goals are reflected in the company’s 2030 Agenda, a decade-long commitment to a future in which its technology will make a positive impact on all its stakeholders. Learn <a href="https://www.vmware.com/company/esg.html">more</a> about ESG at VMware.

VMware has been recognized by Newsweek and Statista in their first annual ranking of America’s Most Trusted Companies.

VMware Recognized by Newsweek- VMware News and Stories

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VMware Named to Newsweek’s Inaugural List of America’s Most Trusted Companies

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Welcome to VMware! You have more than 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry across mobile, wireless, fixed, satellite and cable technologies. What brought you to VMware?

I gained much of my experience while working on the operator side. I saw what it takes to run a network and understand what operators will need to deploy future networks. I want to focus the next part of my career on creating solutions for these future needs.

VMware sits at the crossroads of many emerging technologies that will shape the future of telecommunications. Multi-cloud, disaggregation, open interfaces, and automation, to name a few. We have an opportunity to create solutions that will evolve the way we build and operate networks, as well as evolve and grow how we communicate.

The telecommunications industry has not historically been known for its pace of innovation. Do you think this is changing?

It must change and it must change quickly as more agile competitors are moving in on new markets like private networks. Take hyperscalers for instance. They can innovate and implement new technology quickly because they are starting with a blank sheet of paper. And they are partnering with telcos to gain much-needed experience in how to build and operate networks. I think these are exciting times as this kind of competition will drive innovation.

While it may seem like telcos are at a disadvantage, I think they will rise to the challenge. The way we communicate is changing and they are more familiar with current and future users. It’s not just about connecting people but also about connecting things and entities that have different needs. A new type of network is needed that is agile and can grow in a modular fashion as user demands change. New use cases mean new market opportunity. Telcos know they must move fast to take advantage of new revenue streams.

In your estimation, how are 5G rollouts going?

When the industry first started talking about 5G, we focused on outcomes in three areas:

We’ve seen progress in the first pillar. But to me, faster speeds is only unleashing a small subset of new use cases. The other two pillars – uRLLC and mMTC – will enable technologies that will change society as we know it today. These are harder to move forward faster as they require more investment from operators.

Also, when we mention 5G, we should couple it with other technological evolutions happening alongside it such as virtualization, Open RAN and edge compute-enabled architectures. We have seen new operators make strides in these areas with new networks. We have also seen existing operators make very aggressive and impressive announcements about their future plans. These investments will require a monetization plan; therefore, it’s important to identify things like the edge-native killer use case.

What is your experience as a woman in the telecommunications industry?

I consider myself fortunate to have worked at many amazing companies throughout my career. I’ve gained a variety of experience that spans many technologies. But rising as a woman in this industry is challenging.

It’s great to see companies focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) but there is a lot of work to be done. I can’t tell you how many LinkedIn messages I receive that start with “we want to talk with you because we need more women on our leadership team.” They are missing the point. I’m not interested in helping you improve a statistic. I am interested in bringing my unique experience and lens to a team. That’s the power of DEI – bringing together a group of people who represent diverse communities and perspectives.

My hope is that the work I am doing today and the challenges I have overcome will create a more inclusive workplace for my 7-year-old daughter. For most of my career, I’ve been the only woman in the room. By the time my daughter enters the workforce, I hope she is working with a much more representative group of colleagues than what I experienced.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I try to lead with empathy. Great leaders lead from the heart and not just the head. So, while much of my work must be from the head, I often remind myself I must lead from the heart. Believing in people and diversity. Mentoring and coaching others to bring their talents and value forward for their company’s and customers’ success – as well as for their own career accomplishments.

Dream Big, then Stay Curious, Be Passionate. I’ve always loved “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”, but believe in addition to need and openness, you must also have passion and curiosity to make the most out of life.

Mariam Sorond has joined VMware as the Chief Technology Officer of the Service Provider and Edge business unit.

Mariam Sorond has joined VMware as the Chief Technology Officer of the Service Provider and Edge business unit. Learn more about her outlook on the telco industry, her career path, and her leadership style.

https://news-editor.vmware.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mariam-Sorond_ccexpress-1.png

Mariam Sorond has joined @VMware as the CTO of the Service Provider and Edge business unit. Learn more about her outlook on the telco industry, her career path, and her leadership style.

Bessie Yuan, you are responsible for VMware's business in Greater China. How did your career path lead you to such wide responsibility?

I didn’t grow up with a dream to be in technology. I wanted to be in the airline industry so I could travel and see the world. But I listened to my parents who wanted me to study computer science and then I did my master’s in economics. At the time that I graduated, I didn’t come across a job opportunity in economics that made me excited, so I had to switch back to computer science. 

I started my career as a trainee at Oracle then worked for several multinational companies. Most recently, I was general manager of the Enterprise Commercial Group for Microsoft China. I think one important thing that enabled me to take my current VMware position is that all along my career path, I accessed opportunities that allowed me to gain experience through increased responsibilities.

<a href="https://www.forbeschina.com/business/%E5%95%86%E4%B8%9A/59831">Forbes China</a> recently named you as one of the Top 100 Outstanding Businesswomen in China. That’s a wonderful way to be recognized for your contribution. Would you say your success derives from some mission you have?

I don’t call it a mission, but I’m passionate about helping other women in the technology industry and beyond this industry, as well. I want to be the person who can really contribute and give back to the community. And I want to see other women succeed and emerge as leaders.

Your answer aligns to the International Women's Day global theme, “Break the Bias.” How do you knowingly or unknowingly break the bias?

I was fortunate in that I worked for companies with very good cultures that respect diversity. While I personally didn’t experience any bias, I see many opportunities across the board where there are very few or even no women leaders at senior board member levels. So that’s part of my passion―to influence the local companies and promote women leadership development. I want to support other women entering technology and in the workforce. And in my role, I see an incredible opportunity to influence our partners and customers to promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry.

Another important way I provide influence is with my own children. Your children are the closest people you can influence, and you must lead by example. I strive to be a mother my children can be proud of.

Speaking of leading by example, is there a mentor or someone in your life whom you’ve admired and has inspired you?

A lot of people have helped me, and I have learned different things from each one. As an example, I learned a lot from Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and I am inspired by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. Actually, so many people have inspired me and shaped who I am. I couldn’t name them all! However, I do want to mention a manager I had about 15 to 20 years ago.

This manager saw my potential. He told me that if I want to lead a company, I’d need to get more customer-facing experience in sales. At that time in my life, I thought of myself as someone that is just good at working with computers and coding. I didn’t value sales as a career path, so I didn’t want to try it. But when I did try it, I realized that sales is not the simple job that I thought it was. It’s an incredibly discerning role that requires heightened awareness and empathy for your customer. 

This is such an exciting time to be at VMware because there’s so much transformation going on. You joined the company late last year, so what motivated you to join VMware? 

Honestly, it was the role and the opportunity to lead the business in the region. When <a href="https://news.vmware.com/author/duncan-hewett">Duncan Hewett</a> (erstwhile leader for VMware in Asia Pacific and Japan) talked to me about this role, I realized I could really make things happen because I know this local market and I’ve got solid experience. I also wanted this role because of the way it has been set up. I feel that I can make a large impact and I can realize my potential.

As I shared when I was hired, I look forward to leading this incredible team to accelerate the further development of the Greater China business. I want to do that by injecting an innovative drive into the digital transformation process of more companies.

I also want to say that I’ve been hired for my potential, and this is a great practice that’s important for women. Hiring to potential enlarges the opportunities for women leaders in the corporate world. And my advice to women would be, don’t limit your imagination, even if something may be beyond your current capability. The format of an enterprise is continually changing so the relationship between an employer and an employee will evolve and perhaps become more flexible than what it is today. My general advice to women is just don’t limit your imagination or creativity.

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